Limited outdoor gatherings will be allowed from mid-September in a slight easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
It comes as NSW recorded a whopping 1,029 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, a new daily record.
71 cases were recorded in the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District.
The new rules are as follows:
- From Monday, September 13 people living outside the LGAs of concern can hold outdoor gatherings of up to five people (including children, all adults must be vaccinated). The gathering must be in a person’s LGA or five kilometres from home.
- For those living in the LGAs of concern, households with all adults vaccinated will be able to gather outdoors for recreation (including picnics) within the existing rules (one hour only, outside curfew hours and within 5km of home). This is in addition to the one hour allowed for exercise.
Ms Berejiklian has confirmed that when NSW reaches 70 per cent full vaccination, a range of family, industry community and economic restrictions will lift for those who are vaccinated.
At 80 per cent, there will be further restrictions lifted.
A roadmap for education is set to be confirmed tomorrow.
“We are so grateful for every person who comes forward to get vaccinated because the more jabs we get into arms, the sooner we can lift restrictions,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said this roadmap is our path to freedom and is our biggest incentive yet to get vaccinated so we can return to a level of normality.
“The roadmap announced today outlines a clear pathway forward in which a range of family, industry, community and economic restrictions will be lifted for those that are fully vaccinated when NSW hits 70 per cent,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Having a meal with loved ones, or having a drink with friends is just around the corner, but to get there, we need to keep up momentum in the vaccination rollout.”
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.